Christopher Smith
Stories
12
Chapters
5,674
Words
153.4 K
Comments
0
Reading
12 h, 46 m
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Carrion stared daggers at me. I finally composed myself but not without drawing some attention from those around us. I waved off their concerned looks indicating I was perfectly fine. Alina took a moment while I was collecting myself to do the same, but in a much different manner. I could see emotion flash across her face. Confusion. Anger. Frustration. She took a deep breath and a neutral mask remained. "I am sorry, Sir Carrion. I am not sure I understand your meaning," Princess Alina said before…-
28 •
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Princess Alina's face fell at Cali's playful rebuke. I had a feeling that the Princess carried more than she would ever share with even the closest of her companions. King Caderyn, Alina's father, fell at the hand of the Autarch and was buried only yesterday. I happened to be hiding with her in the passageways beneath the castle when everything happened. I saw her pace as she pondered about what she could do while her friends and family were in danger. Part of me hopes she does not blame me for…
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28 •
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If I have to watch over someone at a party, I might as well get something out of it. I poured some punch for my companion before getting some for myself. The refreshment table was a nice change of pace from the receiving line. Something deep inside me hoped that it would have been quite a few more years between my Swordman ceremony and the next one, but sadly here I am. Sir Jacobson took his vows to become Lord Jacobson a few hours ago. Half the kingdom seemed to be teary eyed over him. I can only…
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28 •
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My family fell in line behind the Royal procession. Since my father died in the line of duty, he would be buried in the Hall of Remembrance. This small fortress outside the city was for monarchs and those who fell while serving the royal family directly. The ornate carriage that carried the King's body led the slow moving parade down the hill from the castle. The royal family was in a carriage behind it. The next carriage carried my father. Generally the families of the fallen walked behind the…
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28 •
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The rest of the day went by in a blur. Cali and Alina stayed with me through most of it, trying to help each other through our losses. Alina seemed to do better when she had a task to occupy herself. Every bandage in the infirmary was rerolled into its tightest spiral by the time she left. Alejo and Finley accompanied my family home for what would probably be their last time. Their familiar presence reminded me that life goes on even when your world is shaken. It was both comforting and depressing.…
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28 •
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I slowly awoke from the sleeping draught. How long had I been asleep? My mind climbed from sleep's clutches before my body wanted to stir. My eyelids felt too heavy to open but I could hear the bustle from the room. I could feel the impression of someone sitting near the end of my bed. They fidgeted endlessly. The more I concentrated on the movement, the more I thought it was two people. "Mommy, I'm hungry," I heard Abrin announce. His voice was weak and he ended it with a dramatic sniffle. "Me…
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28 •
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I fell to the floor. All of the willpower I had to continue through this day seemed to vanish with the Norads. I looked down at the sword in my hand. The red stain across its blade was the only thing that told me I did not dream what just occurred. I struck the Autarch. All my worries of facing an indestructible force faded. The Norads were not immortal. If you can bleed, then you can die. Lord Bleddyn was released from the frozen state he had been held captive in the moment the Norads disappeared.…
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28 •
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King Caderyn laid on the floor with his face turned toward the opposite wall from me. A pool of blood began to form around his head. His crown lay abandoned, slowly being engulfed by the evergrowning crimson spill. My father's body ended up on his side in front of the king. He seemed to take the brunt of whatever force took down the two men. He faced me. His hands and face seemed burned, as though he faced the torture of being thrown into a furnace. The Sword Caperolinae, that made him our clan's…
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28 •
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"I have given my terms. What is your King's reply?" The fearsome woman raised her voice and the hall trembled. Pillars shook and I felt unsteady. The ground beneath me felt as though it might crumble and give way. I was on top of an icy pond and felt as though I could fall through at any point. I wanted to run, but could not do that to leave my friends to a hideous fate. I turned to Cali and Carrion, expecting looks of horror. Instead I saw Cali's firm set expression of determination. She was always…
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28 •
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The woman's green eyes differed from Cali's hazel ones. There seemed to be almost a glow about them that made the green unnatural and a bit unnerving. The slowly forming wrinkles under her eyes and around her mouth were the only things that even hinted at her age. I turned to see Cali's gaping mouth. Her shock was written clearly across her face. Carrion's firm set jaw seemed to be clenched tighter as his lips turned white. His eyes squinted trying to find some reason for this trickery. Past them, my…
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